Lara Chipping

MA Textile Design

Brain scans and group behaviour have formed the basis for my research. An aspect that I find particularly interesting is the differences in brain functions shown by a scan. I am interested in highlighting differences between the brain of a smoker and non-smoker; alcoholic and non-drinker; drug user and non- drug user. My work is concerned with creating opposites and differences between two ‘sets’ of garments.

Creating a continuous print that links garments and wearers whilst allowing for individuality has been my main objective. Colour, fabric, embroidery and garments have been used to create divisions and connections. A 1971 study by Tajfel, the ‘minimal groups paradigm,’ showed strangers would instantly favour those in their group over others; merely the mention of being split can cause group behaviour. I am interested in whether my garments could stimulate such behaviour, how individual wearers within a ‘set’ interact with each other, the opposite ‘set’ and a non-wearer. Will there be loyalty to unknown and unseen members of the same ‘set’?